Abstract: A feedstock material can be doped with magnetic particles, and an inductive coil can be used to induce an endothermic reaction within the feedstock material, due to the presence of the magnetic particles within the feedstock material, during the creation (or printing) of an object. An inductive coil can also be used to create magnetic fields for manipulating the position and/or orientation of the magnetic particles within the feedstock material before, in situ, and after the AM process. A unique signature can be created by the interaction between a magnetic field and magnetic particles within the feedstock material. DNA can be added to the magnetic particles as a means for providing identification to a manufactured component or for identifying one or more characteristics of the component or portion of the component.

Abstract: Chemical or physical markers (i.e., tags) can be embedded in a host resin-based, polymer or thermoplastic matrix used as feedstock for additive manufacturing. These tags can comprise detectable levels of magnetic, electromagnetic, ferromagnetic and other metal alloy materials within the metallic feedstock materials used to create objects via additive manufacturing. Feedstock including tags can be used to manufacture firearms or other objects. The properties of such tags may be used to improve, enhance, or degrade-by-design the properties of the host material. Accordingly, the use of tags can provide traceability, authentication, and other characteristics to a firearm that enable detection and communication between the firearm and sensors.

Abstract: Additive manufacturing (AM) materials can be rapidly qualified with dopants that improve accuracy and precision of microstructure. When dopants are sensed by AM supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) systems, dopants facilitate targeted guidance. This capability can be used as a 3D stencil when the dopants are relayed as coordinates in 3D space. Dopants can be sensed to provide real time in situ process control, data and feedback about the additive manufacturing process. When an electrostatic or electromagnetic force is applied to the print area, doped materials can be modified to control the melt pool and change various properties of the doped material.

Abstract: Methods and systems for enabling additive manufacturing feedstock materials to communicate with supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) systems by way of molecular markers. Markers can be DNA encoded with information or other small molecules that emit a biochemical, chemical, fluorescent, or conductive signal; markers also include additives that transmit empirical data about resistivity, density, weight, volumetric information or other properties of the 3D printed object. The methods to inject materials with markers are to use various solvents or integration as a dry formulation, blended by weight, and concentration. Markers can be applied to feedstock materials entirely, or integrated at various locations on a 3D-printed object while it is being printed or as a thin layer while the object undergoes post-processing treatment.

Abstract: A sensor array is disclosed that includes a conduit having a lumen extending between an inlet and an outlet of the conduit. The sensor array can include a plurality of sensors coupled to the conduit. Each sensor can have a probe member that is disposed within the lumen. The sensors can be configured to measure at least one parameter of an aqueous medium containing a biomass.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for extracting lipids from algal cells. In the method, lipids are extracted from algal cells by exposing the algal cells in an aqueous medium to an electric field sufficient to cause release of lipids from said cells. In the system, an electric field is formed between two electrodes connected with an electrical power supply and configured such that during use an aqueous medium containing the algal cells passes between the electrodes to extract lipids therefrom.

Abstract: An identifying coding apparatus employing modulated reflectance technology involving a base station emitting a RF signal, with a tag, located remotely from the base station, and containing at least one antenna and predetermined other passive circuit components, receiving the RF signal and reflecting back to the base station a modulated signal indicative of characteristics related to the tag.

Abstract: An identifying coding apparatus employing modulated reflectance technology involving a base station emitting a RF signal, with a tag, located remotely from the base station, and containing at least one antenna and predetermined other passive circuit components, receiving the RF signal and reflecting back to the base station a modulated signal indicative of characteristics related to the tag. A long-range communications apparatus utilizing modulated-reflector technology is described. The apparatus includes an energy-transmitting base station and remote units that do not emit radiation in order to communicate with the base station since modulated-reflector technology is used whereby information is attached to an RF carrier wave originating from the base station which is reflected by the remote unit back to the base station. Since the remote unit does not emit radiation, only a low-power power source is required for its operation.

Abstract: A method for authenticating a product where the product is composed of a plurality of components is described. The method for authenticating the product comprises providing a liquid compound, e.g. paint, that comprises at least one invisible market, e.g. nucleic acid, in which the compound is associated with a first entity. The method then proceeds to apply the compound to the surface of the product at the juncture of at least two components. The method also comprises associating the application of the compound to the at least two components with the first entity.